Legendary jeweler Verdura celebrates its 75 years of style with the introduction of the rare, limited edition “Theodora” cuff. The “Theodora” motif on the cuff marks the beginning of Verdura’s career as a jewelry designer and his earliest collaboration with Coco Chanel. In 1930, Verdura, with Chanel as his muse, shattered the status quo in 20th century jewelry design. The revolution they began broke from the proliferation of platinum and diamond jewelry whose popularity was verging on monotony.

Inspired by the Byzantine mosaic of Empress Theodora at the Italian Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, Verdura and Chanel set out to break the rules of popular style. For the first time in the 20th Century, gemstones were pressed into yellow gold in such splendid contradiction to one another: the primary colors of precious rubies, emeralds, sapphires and diamonds were electrified into new life beside the vivid half-hues of semi-precious amethysts, peridots and tourmalines. It was an iconoclast departure. At the time, British Vogue observed the “unusual results and a number of colour harmonies hitherto unknown to jewellery.”

The first foray into this new realm of color was a pair of Byzantine-inspired brooches in loosely cruciform patterns, called the Theodora and Ravenna brooches. These two brooches became harbingers of change, precursors to the full exploration of twentieth century Byzantine style. They were the inspiration for the iconic Maltese Cross cuffs created by the Duke of Verdura for his friend Coco Chanel in the early 1930’s. These brooches were eventually given to Diana Vreeland, a friend and client of Chanel. She further popularized them by wearing them in unusual ways, notably on her turbans and hats. These were a signature of Ms. Vreeland throughout her life.

August 16th is a day I will remember forever. I met my bride on top of Vail Mountain in Colorado, and we were married in the presence of those we love.

After the ceremony, I was ecstatic when my beautiful wife presented me with a cream colored box bearing the Rolex crown and Betteridge ribbon. Inside was a breathtaking new Rolex Submariner, Ref. 11610LV, complete with its iconic green dial and matching green Cerachrom bezel. She wanted to get me something truly special to commemorate our wedding. I love that she chose the green Submariner, because the color adds a unique look to the legendary watch. On the case back, she had the master engravers at Betteridge inscribe “With All My Heart” and “August 16th, 2014.”

As Rolex enthusiasts will know, the Submariner was originally produced in 1953 with deep sea divers in mind. I was able to quickly put my Submariner to the test on our honeymoon in the Cayman Islands.

Due to air tank limits and depth pressure levels, dive time is one of the most important elements to continually verify. I compared the watch to my electronic dive computer and was beyond impressed with the Submariner’s accuracy and utility under water. The rotating dive bezel and impressive dial luminescence made reading the time on the Submariner easy, even while diving with stingrays.

As much as I enjoyed wearing my new gift diving, I found that it has become my daily driver. The watch fits well with the cuffs on my dress shirts and the green dial looks great against the denim on my jeans. And, of course, I love showing off the engraving.

This summer Hollis Reh & Shariff, Southampton’s premier estate jeweler, has become Betteridge Southampton. In joining the Betteridge family, this landmark retailer specializing in signed estate pieces from major jewelry houses such as Boucheron, Cartier, and Van Cleef & Arpels will now also offer its clientele an inventory of fine watches unmatched in the village.

Hollis Reh, one-half of the business’s founding duo, is a third-generation jeweler whose father and grandfather were diamond merchants in New York City. In 1980, Ms. Reh became the first woman ever accepted into the distinguished Diamond Dealers Club. Sal Shariff, Ms. Reh’s business partner and husband, grew up in Egypt and honed his eye surrounded by the riches of Eastern art and culture.

The couple married and established their preeminent Southampton retail location in 1984. Since then, the pair has built a stunning inventory as well as deep roots in the local community, hosting and supporting events to benefit local arts, culture, and animal welfare. One of the five oldest businesses in Southampton, Hollis Reh & Shariff has earned its reputation of impeccable quality and personalized attention.

Ms. Reh and Mr. Shariff will remain at Betteridge Southampton during the summer of 2014 and working with Betteridge through the New York Art, Antique and Jewelry Show at the Park Avenue Armory this September.

On July 20th, Betteridge proudly presented 1999 World Series Champions Fan Ring Day at Yankee Stadium.

The first 18,000 guests 14 and younger received a replica of the 1999 World Series Champions ring. In recognition of one of the truly extraordinary Yankee teams, Betteridge designed the ring to resemble the original as closely as possible.

It was a great day at the Stadium (the Yankees won in the bottom of the ninth!), and everybody left a champion.

Here we have a tale to be re-told by a Sherlock… At first glance, the tankard is English. It is Charles II in form and mark, but the chasing, a wonderful illustration in sterling silver, is extraordinary for it’s depth and detail; poetry fully written.

In 1735, a poet of little fame except for this one ode, wrote the story of his kindly hosts to whom he was apprenticed in his youth: Darby and Joan. Wrinkled and stooped, but smiling and satisfied with comfort of a lifetimes memories together, the old couple sits smoking and drinking outside their favorite pub, their dog tight by their sides. “What are the charms can you guess, that makes them so fond?” asks the writer who then answers, “Tis the remembrance of youth… The thoughts of past pleasure…”

Noel Coward, in the middle of the last century knew the poem still and parodies the loving oldsters in his musical Sail Away with the song of Bronxville Darby and Joan, keeping the story still alive and more local.

New York – June 25, 2014 – Greenwich-based fine jeweler and watch retailer Betteridge today announced that it has partnered with Borderfree, a market leader in international cross-border ecommerce solutions, to expand its online customer experience globally. By partnering with Borderfree, Betteridge now offers international shipping to over 100 countries and territories worldwide in more than 60 global currencies.

“With Borderfree, we have extended Betteridge’s exceptional, personalized service to clientele around the globe,” said Win Betteridge, Director of Business Development, Betteridge. “I am proud that our international customers will now enjoy the same effortless online shopping experience as those purchasing domestically.”

Over the past decade, international sales grew to nearly 10 percent of Betteridge’s total revenue, but several elements of the company’s international business held it back from even greater sales abroad. The risk of international credit card fraud combined with the logistics of coordinating international shipping were too complex for the company to manage effectively at scale. By leveraging Borderfree’s technology and services platform, Betteridge can now present customers around the world with product prices in their preferred currency, guarantee the lowest possible total price including customs and taxes, and ensure seamless international shipping. Additionally, with secure international credit card transactions, Betteridge can offer its customers the flexibility and confidence they desire.

“Betteridge is already seeing significant demand coming from customers around the globe, and we’re excited to help them take their international business to the next level,” said Michael DeSimone, CEO, Borderfree. “Betteridge is a historic American fine jeweler and thus a natural fit for the slate of iconic brands we partner with and bring to international shoppers eager for American goods.”

“Borderfree provides the logistical support we need to expand Betteridge’s seamless online shopping experience beyond U.S. borders. We are excited to join the capabilities of Borderfree’s platform with the excellent customer service and exclusive selection for which Betteridge is known,” said Mr. Betteridge.

These tiny jewels, each of gold or platinum, were quite exotic statements worn by pretty conservative fellows otherwise. There are laconic women in the Art Nouveau styles, toothsome critters of all sorts, and then a “scaredy-cat” and frightening baby sporting a diamond bonnet and face of carved pink moonstone; all of them incredibly well crafted as miniature standout pieces for a gentleman’s tie. I remember most of these framed by my fathers vest or granddad’s fuzzy waistcoats, fondly, except for when I’d be chased to bed with one in a good hearted threat from pop who would brandish one in musketeer fashion.

The old man was proudest of his bird crystals: Reverse carved to complete full relief of the animal and then painted with translucent oils to show every feather of that,” just shot” mallard duck or the standing snipe. He gave Mom a life sized bumble bee carving that was so well done, every person who saw it assumed a live bee had been somehow trapped in crystal: Only the pre-World War One carvers managed to include every hair carved, though great painters remained through till the 40′s.

Really good silver takes many forms but it always shares a few important traits, as this old stuffing spoon shows.

All the surfaces here, rustic from the heavy hammer blows, are smooth to the hand. The haft of the spoon is heavily beaten back from both sides, to thicken and give the strength of an “I Beam”: It wont bend, or at least will snap back, when used hard.

It is almost 8 troy ounces of three individually made and reinforced sections: It has the weight to last through hundreds of years of service.

Finally, it is signed by the workmen who were pleased with their work and proud of their shop. Great silversmiths make things to be used and are willing to stake their names that it will last doing so.

Asscher, cushion, and radiant are just a few of the diamond cuts that come to mind when I think about diamonds that are truly exceptional and stunningly beautiful. They seem to intrigue the eye and compliment the wearer differently than a round stone. These diamond shapes have the ability to show off striking parallel step-cut lines, smooth pillow shaped corners, or brilliant fire radiating from many angles of the stone.

The round brilliant, while being the most popular diamond cut, will always air to the sense of classicism and pay homage to earlier circular diamond cuts. Without a doubt, the round will forever be revered. On the other hand, Fancy-shaped cuts are derived from advancements in diamond cutting techniques and a desire for uniqueness.

When a rough diamond is formed by Mother Nature, it is not always ideal for the stone to be cut into a round. Why? Perhaps the shape of the crystal is better suited for another shape or the crystal’s potential depth of color could be showcased if faceted to highlight a fancy colored diamond. Nevertheless, master diamond cutters have to analyze the rough material and take into consideration shape when envisioning the potential beauty for a stone.

If you find yourself dreaming of something special and sophisticated, consider a Fancy-cut diamond from Betteridge: you might just fall in love.